VW'S NBA OPENING ROUND CONF TOTAL OF THE YEAR
- Handicapper
- Vegas Writer
- League
- NBA
- Competition
- Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers
- Time
- 04/22/2024 07:05 PM
- Bet Type
- Over / Under
- Pick
-
Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers Over 202.5 (-110)
(Consensus 3)
- Outcome
- Loss
- Analysis
- On paper, it appeared the Cleveland Cavaliers, and especially their backcourt, would be in a world of trouble from an injury standpoint in their Eastern Conference Round 1 series with the Orlando Magic. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth in Game 1.
Instead, it was the Magic’s guards that struggled in the 97-83 loss. After a low-scoring affair in the series opener, I expect both offenses to come to life, as the Magic's guards will surely perform much better when the two meet for Game 2 tonight in Cleveland.
Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Max Strus combined for 51 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in Cleveland's win, while also holding Orlando’s Gary Harris, Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony to 0-for-17 shooting from the field for a combined four total points, six rebounds and just one assist. No shot we see the same inefficiency tonight.
With the help of Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero, the Magic are sure to come much closer to reaching their scoring average of 110.1 points per game this time around. And when you factor in the Cavaliers’ scoring output of 114.1 ppg at home on the season, you’ll see the final score finish Over the relatively low anticipated total here.
